"We
encourage the use of contraception as a safe & humane management tool for
pigeons"-The Humane Society of the United
States

OvoControl P - Birth Control for
Pigeons

One Pigeon Is no Problem ...

The Problem is ...

There is no such thing as just one !

Pigeons can breed all year long in the southwest and one mated
pair can turn into a flock of a dozen or more in a year.

In collaboration with the
USDA/APHIS, Innolytics LLC has developed non-lethal and humane technology
that can effectively decrease the hatchability of pigeon eggs by feeding
treated bait during their reproductive season.

The effects are fully
reversible and the company has designed a controlled baiting program that
virtually eliminates any impact on non-target birds.

The technology complements
other programs of bird population management such as habitat modification,
physical barriers and hazing methods.

Detailed studies on
environmental impact on other animals and humans indicate no effects on
other species. Furthermore, the hatchability of eggs from a bird of prey,
such as a falcon, will not be affected by consuming treated pigeons.

The new technology is ideal
for wide area sites where some pigeons can be tolerated. Manufacturing
facilities, transportation hubs, urban areas, hotels, schools and airports
are typical application areas for OvoControl P.

How OvoControl P is dispersed unattended during the day

This automated feeder is placed on a secure
flat roof top location, the timer is set to dispense approximately 10
ounces of bait per 25 pigeons out about 20 feet from the feeder and will
do this 7 days a week.

The
dispenser can hold 90 lbs. of OvoControl P bait

Large flocks will require several feeders
place on the rooftop to make sure that all the pigeons feed evenly.

The bait is a restricted use only product
and is used in reducing egg hatchability in pigeons. As long as the
pigeons eat the bait they will remain sterile, if they stop eating the
bait for 30 days they will be able to have babies again.

George Rotramel, a leading IPM consultant based in Chicago,
recently weighed in on the utility of OvoControl P for pigeons. The
following text is excerpted from his web blog -
June 11, 2008

Pigeon Contraception Program is Working in
Hollywood, California

The LA times reports (June 9) that OvoControl P is reducing
free-ranging pigeon populations in Hollywood. When this test began last
August, I thought it would probably fail due to in migration of bird from
surrounding areas. Well, they've had almost a year to migrate in and the
contraceptive is still reducing overall numbers, more than a 10-fold
decrease in one area in only 4 months according to the LA Times report.

Congratulations to the Argyle Civic Association who had the
foresight to fund this project and to everyone else who was involved. Read
more on this topic in my November 1, 2007 and June 11, 2008 posts in the
What Works section.

One of the challenges of using OvoControl P
is evaluating the pigeon population at a treatment site. A
camera
is watching the pigeons consume OvoControl on a rooftop in San
Diego, CA. Using an automated digital camera makes counting
pigeons and making observations a whole lot easier -- especially when
the camera automatically delivers the pictures to your computer each
morning.

Follow the time
stamps -- six "early birds" arrive at the crack of dawn and wait
patiently for the feeder to go off at 7:00AM. The second photo is
taken 30 seconds after the feeder is activated -- note the
difference. There are roughly 120 birds feeding. Also note the
absence of non-target birds in the feeding frenzy.

Approximately 60 pigeons are
still there at 7:02AM, but the bait is already all gone. 10 minutes
later, the birds have given up hope that the feeder will turn on again
and move on to better foraging opportunities. For the next hour or so,
single birds will still show up from time to time and trip the camera.
After that, nothing moves at the site until the next morning.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ’s) about OvoControl
P in Pigeons.

1. What exactly is
OvoControl P?

OvoControl-P is a product specially
formulated to help control the hatchability of eggs from feral
pigeons. The active ingredient is nicarbazin, originally used as a
drug to control an enteric disease in chickens and now developed as a
hatch control technology for pigeons.

2. How does OvoControl P work and how does
it affect hatchability?

OvoControl interferes with the
development of the vitaline layer separating the egg white and yolk.
This membrane is vital to the viability of the egg and without it
the egg cannot develop or hatch.

3. Does the use of OvoControl P in pigeons
require a permit from F&WS?

Feral pigeons are considered an invasive
species and not protected under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act. No
permit is required by F&WS. Check with your local authorities to
determine if any other permits may be required.

. 4. What does OvoControl P cost?

Depending on the distribution channel, the
cost of OvoControl is approximately $8.80/lb. Put differently, it
costs roughly $10.50/day in OvoControl bait to treat 100 pigeons.

5. What are the opinions of animal welfare
groups to OvoControl P?

The Humane Society of the United States,
PETA as well as other animal welfare groups support the use of
non-lethal technology to moderate the populations of feral pigeons.
Left unchecked, pigeon numbers in a local flock can grow very rapidly.
Innolytics egg hatch control technology enhances the quality of life
for pigeon populations while controlling their numbers. The effects of
OvoControl are analogous to spaying and castration programs in dogs
and cats, except that OvoControl is reversible.

6. Can pigeons consume so much bait that
they get too high a dose of OvoControl P?

No. A single day dose that would be 3 to 4
times the anticipated dose of OvoControl would not produce any toxic
effects. In the event that this did occur, the result would be that
blood levels of nicarbazin would be increased and absorption of the
nicarbazin in the yolk of the egg would also be increased.

7. What happens if a raptor consumes a
pigeon that has been treated with OvoControl P? Will the raptor’s eggs
also not hatch?

Fortunately, the chemistry of the active
ingredient assures that there is an extraordinarily low risk of any
effect on a raptor. To have an effect, the bird MUST consume the bait
– raptors enjoy fresh meat and fish, not OvoControl bait. Once
OvoControl is digested and absorbed, it is no longer biologically
available to another bird. There is effectively no risk of secondary
toxicity.

8. How quickly is the active ingredient,
nicarbazin, eliminated from soil and the environment?

Carbon 14-labeled nicarbazin studies have
shown that the half-life of nicarbazin in the soil is approximately 49
weeks in field soil and 18 weeks in greenhouse soil. The increased
rate of degradation in greenhouse soil is likely related to increased
temperatures maintained in the greenhouse. Studies of labeled
nicarbazin in field soil plots have shown that the nicarbazin
incorporated into the upper 3 inches of soil does not leach through
the soil beyond 6 inches in depth and slowly degrades over time.

9. OvoControl could get into the aquatic
systems through unconsumed bait or pigeon feces. What will happen to
OvoControl P once it enters aquatic environments?

Nicarbazin as a complex has poor
solubility in water. As nicarbazin goes into solution it dissociates
into DNC and HDP. HDP facilitates the absorption of DNC in the gut.
Nicarbazin is excreted as DNC and HDP; DNC excreted in the form of
pigeon feces would not be well absorbed from the gastrointestinal
tract and would pass through the animal with very minimal absorption.

10. What can you expect in terms of feral
pigeon population control following the first year of use?

Under ideal conditions, with all pigeons
in the area consuming the appropriate dose during the breeding season
the expected outcome is no new pigeons. The average lifespan of a
pigeon is 2 to 4 years, although the population turnover through
predation and disease is very high. The objective for OvoControl is to
minimize the hatchability of pigeon eggs. Studies conducted in Italy,
show a declining population of pigeons with the lower population
density dominated by adult birds.

11. Will the pigeon still lay an egg(s)?

It is quite likely that each female pigeon
will still lay one or two eggs. If the OvoControl dose is high enough
and the blood DNC levels are high enough, fewer eggs than normal may
be laid. OvoControl mainly works to reduce hatching of the eggs that
are laid. This is actually a beneficial effect, as the pigeon will
stay at the original nest and incubate the egg(s) rather than leaving
the site and starting a new nest elsewhere.

12. How long does it take for the effect
of OvoControl P to wear off?

OvoControl must be consumed for several
days to achieve blood levels that affect the hatchability of eggs that
are forming. Nicarbazin is undetectable in the plasma 4-6 days after
consumption of the OvoControl bait has stopped. Once the level of DNC
falls by approximately one half its peak levels, the effect on egg
being formed has almost disappeared.

13. What advantage does OvoControl P have
over other chemical control programs?

Use of OvoControl allows for the reduction
in hatching of eggs laid by treated pigeons without requiring lethal
control.

14. When do you start and stop using
OvoControl P?

OvoControl baiting can begin at anytime
during the reproductive season. Pigeon reproduction is concentrated in
the spring through fall, although depending on the climate; they can
reproduce throughout the year. With adequate food, water and nesting
sites, pigeons can hatch eggs as often as every 6 weeks.

15. Is there a pre-baiting period?

No. Since OvoControl is not toxic, there
is no requirement for a pre-baiting period. Nevertheless, some
customers prefer to pre-bait, especially with a pigeon population
which have been acclimated to high quality seeds and grains. These
birds are generally more difficult to switch to OvoControl P.

16. Where should the bait be broadcast or
feeders located?

Ideally, bait is offered at dawn on urban
rooftops in the areas where pigeons are nesting or feeding. For more
permanent feeding installations, Innolytics offers automated feeders
to ease the labor and manpower burden of daily feeding.

17. What are the advantages of using an
automated feeder?

The OvoControl automated feeder provides
an automated delivery system for the bait. The feeders come with
digital controls allowing the applicator to dispense the appropriate
quantity of OvoControl at pre-programmed 24-hour intervals. The units
are equipped with a battery and optional solar charger.

18. Do the baiting sites need to be
monitored?

OvoControl is offered in the early morning
on a daily basis. Initially, each site is observed for approximately
one hour to ensure that pigeons are eating the bait. With automated
feeders, baiting can be preprogrammed to dispense the appropriate
amount of bait once or twice a day, with weekly inspections to observe
feeding behavior and to refill the bait. Some applicators are using
automated cameras to supplement monitoring.

19. Who will be allowed to use the
product?

The product is intended for use by
licensed businesses (Pest Control Operators), government agencies and
municipalities for the control of feral pigeon populations.

20. Since this product will be delivered
under free-feeding conditions, how can you be sure you are not over-
or under-dosing the pigeons with OvoControl P?

It is very difficult to administer exact
doses of OvoControl under free-feeding conditions such as those that
will exist using broadcast application. However, OvoControl has been
shown to have a wide margin of safety and efficacy.

21. Can you skip a day or two of bait and
still get the desired effect? If the pigeon skips eating for a day or
two, what happens?

The ideal situation would be that each
pigeon consumes 5 grams of bait each day. Bait should be available
every day to maximize the chances of the pigeons getting their daily
dose of OvoControl. There appears to be a threshold level of DNC in
the blood required to affect hatchability of the eggs formed during
that time period. If a pigeon doesn’t eat the bait for a day or two,
it is likely that the DNC levels in the blood will fall and may fall
below the level required to affect hatchability. The DNC levels in the
blood will rise again when the pigeon consumes more bait, and the eggs
formed during the time when the DNC levels are high again would be
affected and may not hatch.

22. How will you prevent other birds from
consuming OvoControl P? (i.e., starlings, house sparrows, songbirds,
raptors, etc.)

All avians are considered sensitive to the
product. OvoControl has therefore been designed to limit non-target
exposure to birds. There are five techniques employed:

The bait is relatively
large, suitable for a pigeon but not to the average songbird. The bait
has low oil content.

The bait is fed on a
restricted basis—roughly 5gm/bird, or roughly 15% of the pigeon’s
daily dry matter intake—at the crack of dawn, in the general vicinity
of the over night birds. Experience shows that once the pigeons
are habituated to the bait, it is consumed in 15 minutes or less
leaving little opportunity for non-target feeding.

Pigeons are flocking
birds. Feeders are placed on rooftops where the risk of non-target
exposure is limited.

A daily dose is required
during the breeding season. It is possible that a non-target receives
a dose from time-to-time, but periodic observation by the applicator
ensures that OvoControl is reaching the target population.

Raptors will not consume
bread based bait.

23. How does the pigeon breeding season
compare to other bird species?

Depending on climatic conditions, pigeons
can breed year round.

24. What is the effect on non-target
mammals?

Based on the very limited exposure
potential, studies in non-target mammalian wildlife have not been
conducted although nicarbazin has very little effect on mammals.
Adverse effects that have been noted in mammals have been observed
only after long-term treatment of one year or longer. OvoControl is
considered “practically non-toxic” by EPA.